I just started reading a 2006 book of this name by the author of "Diet for a New America." I realize that longevity is not of as immediate concern to most of you as it is to me... so why do I bring it up in this forum?

Because the first part of the book covers cultures known for exceptional longevity: Abkhasia, Vilcambamba, Hunza, Okinawa. And while researchers have traditionally focused on the diets in those locations, that's not the whole secret of their health. This book points out the quality of social life and attitudes in those places, the emphasis on humor, valuing elders, and family. The health differences are stunning. 80% of coronary care units, 1/3 of cancer wards, and many nursing homes would have to close in the USA if people there lived like Okinawan elders.

More to the point, the people there by all accounts live in communities that are much more like the Na'vi or what we want from that people. The parallels are striking. I've been to Okinawa and seen this for myself.

I think the readers of this forum could draw great inspiration from those peoples and find ways to bring more of their values to western culture. I sense a revolution in attitudes brewing and I think we are the people to foment it. Check out the book and whatever else you can find out about those regions.

Sounds great - Definitely something to look into!

Just goes to show you that long term health has a lot to do with stress, attitude, and happiness than a lot of people think

I wasn't clear about the book title; it's "Healthy at 100". It's not "Diet for a New America;" I haven't read that one.

Just looked it up on Amazon, and it looks like a great read.

We should compile a list of books about changing your life around, making it more fulfilling, etc. I know quite a few have been mentioned here on ToS.

Thanks for mentioning it. Definitely put on the (ever growing) book list.

This really is a sad irony of western civilization. Western civilization is supposed to be the pinnacle of living, at least according to Manifest Destinyists. It is supposed to make us happier, make us healthier, help us live more fulfilling lives. Though in reality, all this stress, work, and lonliness is doing is slowly killing us.

Sempu, I highly recommend you watch a movie called "What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire." It talks about how the trials of modern humanity run deeper than we think, that we face an existential crisis just as much as an environmental crisis. Aurora told me about it, and I loved it.

Mine is 6 ft high now. Problem is every time I go to read my mind wanders.

Thanks, I'm on it! I feel much like you do; that so many of the things we thought were advantages of western civilization are in fact the opposite...

Allow me to recommend a book called 'Focusing'

Okay, (Although I do in fact recommend a book of that title, it's not about fixing wandering minds...)